Are you the type of person who thinks Christmas is one big, soppy holiday — I mean all this love and joy and friendship that floats around? Rather, would you be happy to simply spread a little terror?
Last year, I got into an argument with one of my mates about this. I told her that Christmas was getting a bit too sugary, sweet. She looked down her hooked beak and asked me if I’d prefer some Christmas horror instead. Of course, it was not horror I was looking for, just a bit of temperance to take of the sharp edges of saccharine. But, I was in it now with all my claws, so I couldn’t back out. Nonchalantly, I answered, “Well may be!”
“Then fly off to Austria,” she shouted shrilly as she flew off, “for there you won’t find jolly Santa but Krampus.”
“Krampus? Krampus?” I squealed. But of course, I was talking to thin air. I had a mystery to solve and a new place to discover. So off I went to Austria. Yes, you guessed right — the home of the blue Danube river. It is in Central Europe and the people there speak German. It is a beautiful country with mountain villages, baroque architecture and rugged Alpine terrain...and pretty chilly too.
Demon on the prowl
On December 5, you see Krampus, an animalistic demon that prowls the street. Krampus is described as having “flaming coals for eyes, matted fur and twisting stag horns who slaps people with birch twigs and kidnaps children in a large sack or casket so he can later drown or eat them”. There is even a festival to celebrate this evil monster — one whole day for this evil spirit! Fun, don’t you think?
A compelling story indeed. So, I tried to find out more about Krampus. I was told that he originated in the pre-Christian era. Today, he plays the role of Santa’s assistant. He threatens to beat naughty kids or stow them away in his sack. Santa, in the meanwhile, continues to reward the good kids.
The largest of these celebrations is held in Klagenfurt, the capital city of the southern Austrian province of Carinthia. On December 5, hordes of screaming Krampuses make their way through the narrow, winding streets. And, then there is a Krampus run. If you are an inattentive pedestrian you could well become sport for the Krampus as he lifts you up and shakes you, giving you quite a scare. But, all in all, it was an incredible spectacle.
Published - December 13, 2018 05:00 pm IST
